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Home » Columnists

The Ferry Dock Scribbler

Lines

J. V. Houlihan Jr.

Mon, Oct 13

Category:

The Ferry Dock Scribbler

While drifting in my sailboat in slack wind this summer, I was reading a collection of E. B. White’s essays. These circumstances, and a quick iPhone google search about White’s sailboat, Martha , (E. B. loved to sail) led me to a book titled “A Unit of Water, A Unit of Time,” subtitled, “...
Around and around we go

J. V. Houlihan Jr.

Wed, Oct 1

Category:

The Ferry Dock Scribbler

At the north end of Prudence Island, in Narragansett Bay, lies a quiet anchorage that I frequent in my fall sailing slack time. It’s called Potter’s Cove. A few weeks back I went up there to read and walk the island’s roads. There’s no noise; however, you can hear cows mooing — a family of Belted...
Ed Early, a citizen of the world

J. V. Houlihan Jr.

Tue, Sep 2

Category:

Columnists, The Ferry Dock Scribbler

Ed Early grew up in Virginia. He started surfing the Outer Banks of North Carolina when he was eight. After high school he received a B.A. from Virginia Tech, and then went on to serve in a top secret capacity during the Vietnam War ― he dressed in civilian clothes, was strapped with a pistol, and...
50/50

J. V. Houlihan Jr.

Mon, Aug 11

Category:

The Ferry Dock Scribbler

Sometimes we stumble into things in life for which there is neither rhyme nor reason. It’s just life as it is. Fifty years ago, as a result of doing something wrong in ninth grade, I had to write something for a teacher. It was purely punitive; academia had nothing to do with this after school...
"Read"

J. V. Houlihan Jr.

Mon, Jul 28

Category:

News, The Ferry Dock Scribbler

The cheapest yet most valuable behavior a human being can do is read. Born from this paradox comes the evolution of intelligence. From this act, we can be entertained, informed and persuaded. Without participating in this act, our brains will not be exercised, and will not expand. Critical thinking...
Nautical tales: The Whaleship, Charles W. Morgan

J. V. Houlihan, Jr.

Mon, Jul 14

Category:

News, The Ferry Dock Scribbler

According to Nat Philbrick, author of “In the Heart of the Sea,” subtitled, The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex" (soon to be a major motion picture), “The Charles W. Morgan , was a true state-of-the-art vessel, not built for speed, but what counted, providing a safe and effective...
An Officer and a Gentleman

J. V. Houlihan Jr.

Mon, Jun 16

Category:

The Ferry Dock Scribbler

John Harrington grew up in South Providence. He attended Saint Michael’s, LaSalle Academy, and went on to study pre-law at Providence College. Then, as war was emerging on two fronts, he was called to serve his country. “I wanted to be a pilot in the Navy Air Corps, but I had a color perception...
Galilee’s Steve Hull

J. V. Houlihan, Jr.

Tue, Jun 3

Category:

Columnists, The Ferry Dock Scribbler

Galilee resident Steve Hull has been working the docks lumping out fishing draggers for the past 34 years. Being what is known as a “lumpa” involves getting down in the hold of a boat, and unloading the fish. “It’s basically humping the fish out of the hold as fast as you can,” says Hull, smiling...
Writer's Block

Schlepping

J.V. Houlihan Jr.

Mon, May 5

Category:

The Ferry Dock Scribbler

Sometimes a simple word can inspire further examination for a topic for this scribbler. A few months ago, while giving a musician friend a ride to rehearsal for a gig, she made an observation. “Ya know, it can be quite a schlep" — it was dark and stormy that night — "getting ready for a show, but...
Dog drama on land or by sea

J.V. Houlihan, Jr.

Tue, Apr 15

Category:

The Ferry Dock Scribbler

It’s been said that some clueless guys could screw up a taxi ride. I’m that guy; never wanted to be that guy, but recently a couple of things happened that cemented my reputation of being that guy. My latest good intentions involved our dogs, Sailor the cockapoo, and MacTavish the Scottie. Sailor...
10,000 hours

J. V. Houlihan, Jr.

Tue, Apr 8

Category:

The Ferry Dock Scribbler

In 2008, Malcolm Gladwell wrote a book called “Outliers.” His thesis is basically this: if you work at something for 10,000 hours, then you have a shot at mastery and maybe even some success. More to the point is the old adage, “practice makes perfect.” Two interesting examples in his book deal...
The Dock Master

J. V. Houlihan, Jr.

Mon, Mar 10

Category:

The Ferry Dock Scribbler

“This is the motor vessel Muggs, and we’re approaching the marina presently,” says an assertive voice. “Yeah cap, you’ll be making your portside approach to Dock C, please have a bow, spring and stern line ready, and your bumpers rigged. We’ll be at the dock waiting for you,” says Mark Holden, the...
The Folklorist

J. V. Houlihan, Jr.

Sat, Mar 1

Category:

The Ferry Dock Scribbler

Peter Bartis was my next door neighbor when we were kids growing up in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. He got me reading books, taught me stuff on the guitar, and nudged me forward academically. Peter always wanted to know where things originated. We were talking about a Bob Dylan song once. “But where...
Mark Twain’s Shed

J. V. Houlihan, Jr.

Sat, Feb 8

Category:

The Ferry Dock Scribbler

In my new book, “Sheds,” I explored the places where some very interesting people create their work. My boat is my shed. In fact, I’m writing this column in said shed right now. This is also where I wrote the original “Sheds” piece for The Block Island Times ; then the...
Muckraking

J. V. Houlihan, Jr.

Sat, Jan 25

Category:

Columnists, The Ferry Dock Scribbler

This season, a perfect storm of stimuli informed this column. My daughter Emily gave me a book for Christmas by Jessica Mitford called “Poison Penmanship, The Gentle Art of Muckraking.” In addition to this, I read snatches of Doris Kearns Goodwin’s new book on Theodore Roosevelt, “Bully Pulpit.”...
The Chappy Ferry

J.V. Houlihan, Jr.

Sat, Dec 28

Category:

The Ferry Dock Scribbler

The Chappaquiddick Ferry, a.k.a. the Chappy Ferry, is punctual. The On Time II, runs between Edgartown on Martha’s Vineyard and Chappaquiddick Island. The trip takes one minute. Back and forth she goes every day. Here’s the drill: the 55-foot ferry leaves the dock after crewmember; Maddie...
Mike Plant, an ocean adventurer, lost at sea

Sat, Dec 21

Category:

The Ferry Dock Scribbler

In 1991, I met a solo racing sailor named Mike Plant in Newport while he was working on his 60-foot ocean racer Duracell . He had just sailed around the world in a race called the BOC Challenge. The 27,000 mile race is done in four legs: Newport to Cape Town, South Africa to Sydney to Rio...
A bikeabout

J. V. Houlihan, Jr.

Sat, Nov 30

Category:

The Ferry Dock Scribbler

Fifteen years ago, a guy and a girl came tearing into the Block Island ferry parking lot in Point Judith on bicycles ― heavily laden with gear. “Hey mate, I guess we missed the boat, eh,” said the guy. “Yes you did, and uh, it’s the last ferry,” said I. The guy Tom, and his fiancée, Jodi, had been...
Baby-Boomers beware, this could happen to you

J.V. Houlihan, Jr.

Fri, Nov 1

Category:

The Ferry Dock Scribbler

If you’re a baby-boomer sans grandkids — or with, for that matter — then you probably have a pet of some kind: a dog, cat, ferret, parrot, snake or some type of exotic fish. You get my drift here? Bottom line is, by the time we reach our golden years there is a good chance we will still...
A fictional battle from the Civil War

J.V. Houlihan, Jr.

Sat, Oct 19

Category:

The Ferry Dock Scribbler

Wendy Jo Cohen is a filmmaker from New York City. Her mom and dad sailed aboard the sloop Clearwater , which was spearheaded by the folksinger and activist Pete Seeger. The mission of the Clearwater was to bring environmental awareness regarding the condition of the Hudson River...
Velocity

J.V. Houlihan, Jr.

Sat, Oct 12

Category:

The Ferry Dock Scribbler

Writer Pete Hamill in his book, “Downtown,” says of New York City, “The present becomes the past more rapidly than any other world city.” Hamill talks about the “velocity” of change in New York. There is so much ambition on so many levels, it is inevitable that change will happen very quickly. So...
Writer's Block: Oars, Sail, Steam, Diesel and Jets

J. V. Houlihan, Jr.

Sat, Sep 28

Category:

The Ferry Dock Scribbler

Ever since people travelled the world’s waterways, whether its ponds, lakes, streams, rivers and oceans, they had a primary motive: they wanted to get from point A to point B safely and efficiently. They wanted to discover places, too. Why human beings are driven to get to places quickly can be...
Writer's Block: Building a great American boat

J.V. Houlihan, Jr.

Sat, Sep 21

Category:

The Ferry Dock Scribbler

Hinckley Yachts evolved from a company that built work and fishing boats up in Southwest Harbor, Maine. The company began in 1920, and after the war started building sailboats. Over the years Hinckley has become a brand which exemplifies a “Can Do” American attitude. Whether you’re a boat person or...
Hitchhiking in the ’70s

J. V. Houlihan, Jr.

Sat, Aug 24

Category:

The Ferry Dock Scribbler

In 1970, I was a college freshman and went on an adventure to Martha’s Vineyard along with my childhood friend Tim, from Pawtucket. We hitched to get to the ferry. Tim and I hitched a lot when we were kids. At age 14, we’d hitchhike to Newport’s Second Beach, rent a surfboard, share it and then...
Bob Dylan, Redux

Sat, Aug 3

Category:

The Ferry Dock Scribbler

A couple of months back there was a piece of mail for me in the Point Judith freight office. It had been sent to me in care of The Block Island Times. The return address was West Tisbury, Martha’s Vineyard. After my shift ended, I opened up the package and was taken aback; actually, pretty...
Dogs and geezers-in-training

J.V. Houlihan, Jr.

Sat, Jul 20

Category:

The Ferry Dock Scribbler

On any given day at the Point Judith ferry dock, we’ll see lots of dogs packed into the family car. Martin Donovan keeps doggie treats in the parking lot shack and they go like hotcakes in the summer season. Furthermore, we’ll see this leashed canine brigade walking up the ramp to board the ferry...
Mad monks and William of Ockham

J. V. Houlihan, Jr.

Sat, Jun 22

Category:

The Ferry Dock Scribbler

A couple of weeks ago marked the first solo sail of the season up Narragansett Bay to a favorite anchorage, where I merge into what is referred to as “Mad Monk Mode.” The boat will swing aimlessly on a mooring, and I will read a favorite book — the new book by Nat Philbrick about the Battle of...
Tap, tap, tap.

J. V. Houlihan, Jr.

Sat, May 18

Category:

The Ferry Dock Scribbler

The Massie Wireless Station (PJ) — the PJ stands for Point Judith — was built in 1907. It once sat at the east end of Roger Wheeler State Beach, also known as Sand Hill Cove Beach. In the early 1980s, I raised my family a few hundred yards from the old, weathered building. To avoid demolition, in...
Sailing Daytona Beach — on a bike

J. V. Houlihan, Jr.

Sat, Apr 13

Category:

The Ferry Dock Scribbler

To say I’ve met some characters at the Point Judith ferry docks over the past few decades is an understatement. So, given that, you need to work with me and visualize what you’re about to read. More than a month ago, a 73-year old guy named Jerry checked his car in to board the ferry, then came...
Going electric with Bob Dylan in Newport

J.V. Houlihan

Wed, Mar 13

Category:

The Ferry Dock Scribbler

Like multitudes of young guys in the early 1960s, I was in the basement bashing my guitar while listening to Bob Dylan records. The songs were basically driven by three or four chords, which were clearly delineated in a book by a guy named Mel Bay. Although it took me a few months to figure out...
Two unique boats, two unusual stories

J. V. Houlihan, Jr.

Wed, Feb 27

Category:

Columnists, The Ferry Dock Scribbler

E. B. White, in his Elements of Style, likens writers to hunters, “waiting to make the occasional wing shot, bringing down the bird of thought as it flashes by.” This is an apt metaphor. I like it. If a writer is looking too hard for the “bird of thought,” he is doomed to not see said bird...
Catboat Jon and the wooden bucket

J.V. Houlihan, Jr

Wed, Feb 13

Category:

The Ferry Dock Scribbler

Catboat Jon Heon first saw the Southeast Lighthouse of Block Island, while sailing aboard the schooner Mistral , in ’74. She was on a broad reach heading from Bermuda to Newport. Arriving in the harbor, Mistral, an L. Francis Herreshoff design, had engine problems, and the guys...
Writer's Block: The fate of John Howland

J. V. Houlihan, Jr.

Thu, Jan 24

Category:

The Ferry Dock Scribbler

Island resident Peter Greenman, along with several other island folks including Champ and Carder Starr and myself, share ancestry with John Howland. Howland was an indentured servant who sailed aboard the Mayflower . Recently, Peter and Sandy Greenman had an interesting conversation...
My name is Sailor

J.V. Houlihan, Jr.

Thu, Dec 6

Category:

The Ferry Dock Scribbler

My name is Sailor and I’m a lucky dog. I was a companion for a man named Mully for seven years. He was not doing well. A lady came to help Mully for months. She cared for him along with other people. Our house was very busy near the end. I knew Mully was going somewhere; dogs know these things. The...
Happy Thanksgiving to Frankie at Beacon Hollow Farm

Pippa Jack

Thu, Nov 22

Category:

The Ferry Dock Scribbler

When John “Doc” Willis retired from practicing family medicine 15 years ago, he didn’t plan on turning his pastoral property on Block Island’s Beacon Hill Road into a sanctuary. He had spent years clearing the land to make way for a house that he would rent, he thought, for extra income. Then the...
Writer's Block: Recollections of Cuban Missile Crisis

Ray Torrey

Thu, Nov 1

Category:

The Ferry Dock Scribbler

Yesterday, while catching up on the news, I was reminded that this week marks the fiftieth anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis. It brings back some interesting memories for me and I thought that I would share them with you. In early October 1962 I found myself in a small second floor classroom...
Islands, islands everywhere!

J. V. Houlihan, Jr.

Mon, Oct 8

Category:

The Ferry Dock Scribbler

On a sailboat race in 1970, the captain of the boat I was on said, “There’s Prudence, Patience, Hope and Despair, and that’s little Fox over there.” He pointed to all of the aforementioned islands as we headed for the race course off Warwick Neck; such poetry, huh! Since that race, those islands...
Writer's Block: A geodesic what?

J.V. Houlihan, Jr.

Mon, Sep 24

Category:

The Ferry Dock Scribbler

Two weeks ago, islander Bob Fletcher came off the ferry with a bewildered look on his face, and asked me, “Houlihan, what is that?” He was pointing to the object pictured above. On a later boat, Sam Kretschmer asked the same question and said he knew I’d go find out. Immediately, my inquiring mind...
When the beach wears thin, cupcake class beckons

Judy Tierney

Wed, Sep 5

Category:

The Ferry Dock Scribbler

The scene could be Crescent Beach, or Mansion Beach, or even State Beach. A tan woman wearing a pink bikini is lounging on a red raft beneath a striped umbrella on a sandy beach. Sapphire water laps just beyond her head, and the fin of a shark lurks beyond. But there’s no need to fear; she and her...
Introducing city students to the magic of Block Island

George M. Taber

Tue, Aug 7

Category:

The Ferry Dock Scribbler

The Block Island Maritime Institute this summer is bringing high school students from five city schools to the island to participate in some of the things that make this one of the last great places on earth. Three of the groups are here for a week, and two are on island for a day. The sizes of...
Come the Fourth

Gloria S. Redlich

Sun, Jul 8

Category:

The Ferry Dock Scribbler

No matter that often in the history of our country — as now — we find ourselves in deep political and emotional divides. No matter that we sometimes feel as if our political opposites are creatures of an alien universe. No matter that our legislators often allow these feelings to overwhelm their...
Jerry

J. V. Houlihan, Jr.

Thu, Jun 7

Category:

Columnists, The Ferry Dock Scribbler, Community

When I think of one adjective to describe and encompass island resident Jerry Curato, at first, something like “quirky” comes to mind. However, that’s too easy; down on the docks we’re all somewhat quirky. No one would argue that — no one. “Enigmatic” is another very good adjective but it’s too...
Writer's Block: Block it, light it, shoot it

J. V. Houlihan, Jr.

Tue, Feb 14

Category:

The Ferry Dock Scribbler

When I taught my high school theatre classes basic stagecraft — movement, vocal styling and script analysis — I would put students into groups of three or four, with a script or an idea to develop. I would choose the groups randomly and then see what happened. It always intrigued me, when I put my...
Writer's Block: Whale ho!

J. V. Houlihan, Jr.

Mon, Oct 24

Category:

The Ferry Dock Scribbler

Last Friday evening at the Providence Athenaeum, author Nathaniel Philbrick spoke about his new book, “Why Read Moby-Dick?,” to an enthusiastic full house. Nat has written several books: “In the Heart of the Sea,” “Mayflower,” Sea of Glory,” to name a few. I’ve read all of them and have heard him...
Southern New England is my oyster

J. V. Houlihan, Jr.

Thu, Oct 20

Category:

The Ferry Dock Scribbler

When I have time off these days, I do lots of aimless things: bike riding, sailing, and dog walking. These activities are done with no concrete destinations. I’ll sail my boat aimlessly in large triangles in Narragansett Bay; ride my bike anywhere it appeals to me (the bike is always in my truck);...
The return of the J-Boats

J. V. Houlihan, Jr.

Tue, Oct 4

Category:

The Ferry Dock Scribbler

One of the more impressive sailing events I’ve ever witnessed happened at Castle Hill Lighthouse this past June. I happened to be going for a sail one day and saw the J-Class Boats Ranger and Valsheda preparing to begin racing out of Newport Harbor. There was a sizable spectator...
One of the last great ashtrays

Jon Campbell

Thu, Sep 1

Category:

The Ferry Dock Scribbler

“I was at the grocery store, the Post Office, the Library and the Dump today,” she said, “and guess which place didn’t have cigarette butts all over the ground.” Of course, with a set-up like that, you’d have to really not be paying attention to guess anything but the Dump, and before we go any...
Sunburn blisters on a new tattoo

Jon Campbell

Sat, Aug 6

Category:

The Ferry Dock Scribbler

When the harbor in Galilee was dredged several years ago, the most ubiquitous man-made object from the bottom was the beer can, with a high percentage being vintage Narragansett cans. This trail of empties extends along the channel by the West Wall and out across the bottom all the way to Old...
How I spent my summer vacation, foreign language version

Jon Campbell

Sat, Jul 16

Category:

The Ferry Dock Scribbler

Some days, after a long stretch of foggy weather, when the sun comes back like a multi-alarm firestorm, visitors and residents alike find themselves seeking a quiet, cool spot. This could be the porch of a hotel, a quiet cottage on a laneway, an air conditioned pub — anywhere beyond the beat of the...
Ferry engineers make it work

J. V. Houlihan Jr.

Sat, Jun 18

Category:

The Ferry Dock Scribbler

When I began working on the MV Quonset, our Chief Ted Gelinas referred to the engines as “stone crushers.” Going below into the Quonset’s engine room, I could understand his sense of humor — the sound and vibration of her engines could loosen the fillings in your teeth. This was...

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